Blue Cross describes health law impact on premiums

BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's largest private health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, estimates two-thirds of its customers who buy their own policies will pay the same premiums or less under the federal health care overhaul.

But that's only if people take advantage of federal subsidies being offered under the law.

Blue Cross officials on Wednesday outlined the anticipated effects of the Affordable Care Act. About 76,000 Blue Cross customers pay for their own insurance, rather than getting it through their workplace, and could see substantial changes in 2014.

Blue Cross officials say insurers will pay new fees that will pass onto customers. Many customers also will receive new benefits that are mandated for health care policies and will drive up costs.